The math of roulette
Roulette odds, clearly explained
Compare the chance of a win, the payout and the house edge. Start with the wheel: one extra zero changes the numbers on every standard bet.
Standard bets at a glance
| Bet | Pockets | Net payout | Win chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.70% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.41% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 8.11% |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | 10.81% |
| Six-line | 6 | 5:1 | 16.22% |
| Dozen / column | 12 | 2:1 | 32.43% |
| Red / black | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Odd / even | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Low / high | 18 | 1:1 | 48.65% |
| Bet | Pockets | Net payout | Win chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.63% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.26% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 7.89% |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | 10.53% |
| Six-line | 6 | 5:1 | 15.79% |
| Dozen / column | 12 | 2:1 | 31.58% |
| Red / black | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| Odd / even | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| Low / high | 18 | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| Bet | Pockets | Net payout | Win chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight-up | 1 | 35:1 | 2.56% |
| Split | 2 | 17:1 | 5.13% |
| Street | 3 | 11:1 | 7.69% |
| Corner | 4 | 8:1 | 10.26% |
| Six-line | 6 | 5:1 | 15.38% |
| Dozen / column | 12 | 2:1 | 30.77% |
| Red / black | 18 | 1:1 | 46.15% |
| Odd / even | 18 | 1:1 | 46.15% |
| Low / high | 18 | 1:1 | 46.15% |
Standard payouts. Winning stake returned separately. First-five basket is explained below.
The wheel changes the odds
A red bet covers 18 numbers. That is 18 out of 37 pockets on a European wheel, 18 out of 38 on an American wheel and 18 out of 39 on a triple-zero wheel. Red and black each pay 1:1 under the standard rules used here.
Probability is not the payout
A straight-up bet pays 35:1 in standard roulette, but its chance of winning is 1/37 on a single-zero wheel. The payout describes the profit on a winning bet. The probability describes how often the event occurs in the mathematical model.
The house edge in one calculation
For a $1 straight-up bet on a European wheel, expected net profit is (1/37 × $35) minus (36/37 × $1), or −$0.027027. The house edge is therefore 2.70%. It is a long-run average per dollar wagered, not a prediction for one session.
Find the answer you need
Use the payout chart for bet-by-bet figures, the calculator for a chosen stake and the probability guide for repeated spins. The wheel and rules guides explain the layout before you work with the numbers.
House edge and RTP by wheel
The roulette house edge is the average share of each amount wagered that the game keeps in the long run. Return to player (RTP) is the remaining share. Both come straight from the pocket count, the payout and the zero rule, so the same bet can carry a different edge on a different wheel.
| Wheel or rule | Pockets | House edge | RTP | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European (single zero) | 37 | 2.70% | 97.30% | Standard bets |
| French with La Partage | 37 | 1.35% | 98.65% | Even-money bets only |
| American (double zero) | 38 | 5.26% | 94.74% | Standard bets except first five |
| American first-five basket | 38 | 7.89% | 92.11% | 0, 00, 1, 2, 3 at 6:1 |
| Triple zero | 39 | 7.69% | 92.31% | Standard bets |
Compare the European roulette odds, American roulette odds and triple-zero roulette odds for the details behind each row, or see how La Partage on French roulette halves the edge on even-money bets.
Which roulette bet has the best odds?
If “best odds” means the highest chance of winning a single spin, the even-money bets win most often: red, black, odd, even, low and high each cover 18 numbers. If it means the lowest long-run cost, every standard bet on the same wheel has the same house edge, so the wheel and its zero rule matter more than the bet you choose.
- Highest win chance on one spin: an even-money bet, 48.65% on a European wheel.
- Lowest standard house edge: a single-zero wheel at 2.70%, or 1.35% on even-money bets with La Partage.
- Highest house edge among common bets: the American first-five basket at 7.89%.
The roulette strategy guide compares these measures in more depth.
Roulette table odds in casinos and online
A table in Las Vegas, a casino elsewhere or an online lobby can run a single-zero, double-zero or triple-zero wheel. The table sign or game rules state which. The odds on the roulette table follow from that pocket count, not from the location or the presentation. Check the paytable before applying any figure on this site, and read the online and live roulette odds guide for digital and multiplier formats.
Explore roulette
- Roulette
Roulette odds calculator
Single bets, combined bets and spin sequences with exact figures.Open calculator - Roulette
Roulette payouts and odds chart
Net payouts beside the chance of winning on 37, 38 and 39 pockets.Read the guide - Roulette
Roulette bets and table layout
Inside and outside bets on the table layout, with coverage and payouts.Read the guide - Roulette
Red and black roulette odds
Why a color bet is 48.65%, not 50/50, and what both colors do.Read the guide - Roulette
Green roulette odds: zero and double zero
One zero, any green and the 0 plus 00 combination explained.Read the guide - Roulette
Single-number roulette odds
Straight-up chance, true odds against and the 35:1 payout.Read the guide - Roulette
European roulette odds
Single-zero odds, the 2.70% house edge and 97.30% return.Read the guide - Roulette
American roulette odds
Double-zero odds, the 5.26% edge and the first-five exception.Read the guide - Roulette
Triple-zero roulette odds
39 pockets, a 7.69% standard edge and what 000 changes.Read the guide - Roulette
French roulette odds and La Partage
La Partage, the 1.35% edge on even-money bets and En Prison.Read the guide - Roulette
Roulette probability and streaks
Streaks, repeats and at-least-once chances for future spins.Read the guide - Roulette
Roulette strategy and the house edge
What best odds means, betting systems and expected loss.Read the guide - Roulette
Martingale roulette betting system and calculator
How doubling grows the stake and the total at risk.Open calculator - Roulette
Roulette rules for beginners
How a round works, the key terms and table limits.Read the guide - Roulette
Roulette wheel numbers and layout
Pocket order, colors and why wheel neighbors differ from the grid.Read the guide - Roulette
Online and live roulette odds
Live, digital and multiplier formats checked against the paytable.Read the guide - Roulette
Craps vs roulette odds and other casino games
Comparing roulette with craps, blackjack and baccarat fairly.Read the guide
Questions about roulette odds
No. A payout describes what a winning bet returns. A probability describes how likely an outcome is under a stated model.
These tools calculate from your inputs. They do not predict a spin, hand, race or match.
Total return includes the returned stake. Net profit excludes it. Both are labeled separately.